Every home should have a goal of being eco-friendly to some degree. Whether that be recycling or minding the water usage, having a small eco goal should be kept in mind. In this article, we are bringing you 4 easy ways you can incorporate eco-friendly habits into your home. Earth Day is coming up soon, so you’ll want to bookmark this one!

1. Ditch Cases of Plastic Water Bottles

It’s 2021 - ditch buying cases of plastic water bottles and save yourself the stress of seeing them in every corner of your home. According to The Water Project, “an estimated 80 percent of all plastic water bottles in the United States get tossed in with the trash, and only 20 percent of the bottles that are recycled can actually be used for recycling. And as for the bottles that are thrown away, they take over 1,000 years to biodegrade,” (Greenwald). One of the best ways to reduce water bottle waste is to simply invest in a great reusable water bottle. You can look in stores such as Target or online on Amazon.com to find one that meets your needs. There are a wide range of water bottles to choose from, each with their own unique set of characteristics. When looking for the ideal water bottle, many people have four factors they consider when choosing a bottle. These factors are water bottle size, material, color and price. You can fine tune these preferences online to find your ideal bottle. Choose one you feel meets your needs and help put an end to plastic water bottle waste.

2. Line Dry Laundry

Hang your laundry outside or in a clean space in your home to dry. This eliminates the excessive energy that dryers use. According to the EPA, a dryer uses more energy than a refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher. Air drying your clothing can reduce energy usage from major appliances in a typical household by as much as one-third. Air drying articles of clothing also serves as a great way to preserve the clothing itself. Jeans are a great example. Jeans, especially those of lower quality, can shrink with time after running them through the dryer repeatedly every week. A great way to fight the shrink is to simply line or air dry them. This drying process can easily extend to other articles of clothing of different material to extend their life. Using this method, you will save money on your electricity bill while also stretching the life of your clothing by ensuring they stay in ideal condition for as long as possible. 

3. Turn Off Lights When Not in Use

At home, we are all guilty of leaving lights on in an area of the home we are not currently residing in. Perhaps we’ve just watched a horror film and want to ensure our space is well lit from every angle or maybe we just have a bad habit of leaving lights in various areas throughout the home. Whatever the case may be, it is crucial that we are mindful of when to turn the lights off. Incandescent lights should be turned off when not in use. They are the least efficient type of lighting and give off more heat than light. According to research from Imperial College London, “the British government's estimate of how much carbon dioxide can be saved by switching off the lights is 60 percent too low, and the seemingly insignificant action has greater consequences than experts once assumed,” (Greenwald). It is also important that you switch over to LED bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting,” (Greenwald). Save electricity by adopting and living by these rules above. 

4. Add Some Plants Around the Home

Add some greenery in your home with plants. Not only do plants look great, they serve as mini filters to take in CO2 and release oxygen into your home. This is a great and easy way to regulate the air that you breathe and ensure that you are making efforts to help keep it clean. Research by NASA has revealed that houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of air toxin in 24 hours. These plants will also help regulate humidity and increase levels of positivity. Seeing greenery helps us feel more relaxed. There is a wide variety of plants to choose from for your home. If you have pets, it is crucial that you research what plants are toxic to them to ensure they are in a safe environment. Be sure to follow the proper watering care for each plant and ensure they receive the sunlight they need, whether that be direct or indirect sunlight. Be sure to also buy organic soil that will allow each plant to grow to their full potential due to being in the proper environment.

Works Cited

Greenwald June 8, Morgan. “30 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly.” Best Life, 2 Oct. 2019, bestlifeonline.com/eco-friendly-home/#:~:text=30%20Easy%20Ways%20to%20Make%20Your%20Home%20More,6%20Adopt%20Meatless%20Mondays.%20...%20More%20items...%20.